american english [Archive]

MongoTheGeek

Apr 29, 2004, 03:59 PM

I thought american english spelt theater and center not centre and theatre.

I like the fact that we are so close but quite away apart at times...

We visit LA ....

My 11 daughter asked for a rubber for her prize! Rubber is an eraser. The look on the shop assistants face :eek:

What differences have you noticed?

eg in english
Bloke = Man
Fanny = female private part (at the front!)

You do get centre and theatre around the US occasionally. I live in Centre county actually.

That Fanny thing always makes me laugh when I hear it.

We also don't use fag to refer to a cigarette.

George Bernard Shaw wrote we are "Two nations divided by a common tongue"

In the musical My Fair Lady Prof Higgens laments "Why in America they haven't spoken it in years."

jxyama

Apr 29, 2004, 04:17 PM

glosterseagul

Apr 29, 2004, 04:23 PM

eggplant = aubergine

vacation = holiday

cell phone = mobile phone

can't think of many others right now...

i find the eggplant example most puzzling. it's some derivative of aubergine in french and other european languages, i believe...

Eggplant? never heard of one! :confused:

We say scone you say biscuit we say biscuit you say cookie!

mactastic

Apr 29, 2004, 04:27 PM

Al-u-min-i-um. :D
Torch

glosterseagul

Apr 29, 2004, 04:39 PM

Al-u-min-i-um. :D
Torch

LOL! :D

In the FILMS (movies!) when I heard someone say he was an aloo-minum salesman I didnt know they meant alew-min-e-um salesman!

although it is written alluminium as it sounds...in english! :)

virividox

Apr 29, 2004, 04:43 PM

cheers = thanks
pissed = drunk, pissed = angry
chick (girl) = bird (girl)

etc etc

glosterseagul

Apr 29, 2004, 05:09 PM

and...what words might the brtits not heard of?

eg

doing bird
blowing a raspberry
dogging?

Les Kern

Apr 29, 2004, 05:30 PM

It's "Going to THE hospital", not "Going to hospital", damnit!
I lived in Walmer, Deal, Kent for a bit, and the very first person that spoke to me was a young boy who said "Likeagave soweekn get-UH pa-ew?" (He wanted a donation so they could get a school pool)
I spent the first month not knowing what a soul was trying to say, but I got used to it.

Flowbee

Apr 29, 2004, 06:34 PM

I thought american english spelt theater and center not centre and theatre.

'Theatre' is actually quite common in the US, especially as referring to live performance venues and companies. Several movie theaters (cinemas to some of you) have also adopted the more 'sophisticated' spelling (AMC Theatres (http://www.amctheatres.com)).

baby duck monge

Apr 29, 2004, 07:03 PM

when getting on the subway (tube), you can't forget to watch your step (mind the gap). man, i love it. mind the gap, mind your head, mind this, mind that... :D

Krizoitz

Apr 29, 2004, 07:07 PM

LOL! :D

In the FILMS (movies!) when I heard someone say he was an aloo-minum salesman I didnt know they meant alew-min-e-um salesman!

although it is written alluminium as it sounds...in english! :)

Actually it is written in America as aluminum, just like it sounds. It was in fact called aluminum before aluminium, and it was called alumium before either.

Dear Word Detective: I have a question about which is the original spelling of the word "aluminium" (or "aluminum" depending on where in the world you grew up). I have been told that the English spelling with the extra "i" is correct, yet a lot of Americans swear that it is spelled incorrectly outside of the U.S. -- G. Craven, Phoenix, AZ.

Golly, can't we all just get along? Then again, I must admit that the British pronunciation "al-yoo-min-ee-um" has been driving me mildly bats since I first heard it on TV when I was about ten years old. I remember staring at the American spelling "aluminum" in a magazine shortly thereafter and wondering where on earth the Brits had found that extra "i." (While we're at it, the other thing that has been bothering me for years is the British pronunciation of "Nicaragua," which is along the lines of "nick-uh-rahg-yoo-ah." Something about that gives me the fantods.)

In the case of "aluminum" (as I will spell it because this is, after all, my column), we can pin the whole mess on Sir Humphry Davy, the English chemist who discovered the stuff back in 1807. Indulging in the perversity of which historical figures seem fond, Davy named his discovery not "aluminum," nor even "aluminium," but "alumium," basing the term on the Latin "alumen," meaning "alum," a substance drawn from the same mineral that had been used since ancient times for dyeing hides and the like. This is all a bit confusing, but we can take comfort in the fact that Davy was apparently a bit befuddled too. Around 1812 he decided that the proper name of his discovery was not "alumium," but actually "aluminum." Almost immediately Davy was besieged by other scientists who pointed out that if Davy would just add an "i" to make the term "aluminium," it would fall into line with such other substance names as "sodium" and "calcium" and, in their words, "sound more classical." So Davy named it yet again, this time to "aluminium," and the "ium" form became standard in both the U.S. and Great Britain.

Unfortunately, many people in the U.S. had evidently stopped listening by that point and continued to call the stuff "aluminum," and this spelling became so widespread that it was eventually adopted as the standard in the U.S. "Aluminium," however, is the official spelling used by international chemical societies. One hopes that Sir Humphry Davy, wherever he may be, is at last happy.

Frohickey

Apr 29, 2004, 07:11 PM

Bloke = Man
Fanny = female private part (at the front!)

Fanny is not only female private part. It could be the buttocks as well. You've heard of fanny packs, haven't you?

whocares

Apr 29, 2004, 08:16 PM

I like how the Americans pronounce cities in New England:

Nore-wich (US) = 'Norich' (UK)
Green-wich = 'Grennich' (UK)
How would you say Gloucesteshire in the US? :eek: :p :p

Trunk = boot
Truck = lory
Trash = rubbish
Chips = crisps
French Fries = chips

Oh, and in England, pedestrians walk on the pavement :eek: :eek: :eek: ;)

Krizoitz

Apr 29, 2004, 08:56 PM

I like how the Americans pronounce cities in New England:

Nore-wich (US) = 'Norich' (UK)
Green-wich = 'Grennich' (UK)
How would you say Gloucesteshire in the US? :eek: :p :p
Ok if you wanted them pronounced without the W why put it in there, honestly ;)

As for Gloucesteshire (which I believe is pronounced something like Glawstashire right?) I would think it would get rendered Glow-sest-ah-shire where the glow rhymes with now.

Trunk = boot

You know I can understand refering to the hood as a bonnet, but the trunk as a boot thing never made much sense. I mean trunk is for storing things. But why would you put things in a boot?

powerbook4me

Apr 29, 2004, 08:58 PM

I think British speak is annoying....

Flame away :p

craigdawg

Apr 29, 2004, 09:36 PM

I think we do a good job ruining Worstershire and Jag-wire.

Krizoitz

Apr 29, 2004, 09:57 PM

I think we do a good job ruining Worstershire and Jag-wire.

I have always pronounced it Jag-whar as in rhymes with tar or bar

whocares

Apr 29, 2004, 10:03 PM

Ok if you wanted them pronounced without the W why put it in there, honestly ;)

As for Gloucesteshire (which I believe is pronounced something like Glawstashire right?) I would think it would get rendered Glow-sest-ah-shire where the glow rhymes with now.

I see you catch along quite quickly. ;)
If I'm not mistaken, American prononciation is what it would have been in 'old' England when the first pilgrims left/arrived. I guessed we evolved and you didn't (ouch, that's was below the belt, wasn't it? :eek: ; j/k :p )
If that is not the correct explanation (sarcasm put aside), well I guess the extra letters are there so we can easily differentiate between Americans and British... :D Mind you, most people in the States (or at least Texas) seem to think I come from Australia! :eek:

You know I can understand refering to the hood as a bonnet, but the trunk as a boot thing never made much sense. I mean trunk is for storing things. But why would you put things in a boot?

And I really can't understand the rubber issue. IIRC rubber was first used for making, well rubbers, and not condoms...

And to continue with cars (vehicules/automobiles?):
Windscreen vs. windshield (I think)
gas(oline) vs. petrol

Or spelling
Neighbour vs. neighbor
colour vs. color
modelling vs. modeling
draught vs. draft

I guess we just like keeping stuff uselessly complicated. ;)

Westside guy

Apr 29, 2004, 10:05 PM

I have always pronounced it Jag-whar as in rhymes with tar or bar

Isn't it "Jag-u-ar"?

Okay, how about Lieutenant vs. "Leftenant" (no idea if the British spell it differently, but there's an "f" slipped in there verbally somehow)

How about the way your milk is delivered on a "float"?

Oh! From the PBS special "The Story of English" - the way you pronounce "clerk" would be spelled "clark" in the US.

Another car one: boot vs. trunk

whocares

Apr 29, 2004, 10:06 PM

I think British speak is annoying....

Flame away :p

Nah, Aussie speak is annoying!

-----------------
Disclaimer
This flamebait is merely here to bring or Aussie friends (or other anglophones) into the discussion.
I believe that Canadian spelling is closer to British spelling?

Apple Hobo

Apr 29, 2004, 10:20 PM

check = cheque
tires = tyres

And how about laboratory (lab-er-tory) and luh-bor-a-tory. :D

whocares

Apr 29, 2004, 10:22 PM

check = cheque
tires = tyres

And how about laboratory (lab-er-tory) and luh-bor-a-tory. :D

Just call them a lab! ;)

Les Kern

Apr 29, 2004, 10:43 PM

'Theatre' is actually quite common in the US, especially as referring to live performance venues and companies. Several movie theaters (cinemas to some of you) have also adopted the more 'sophisticated' spelling (AMC Theatres (http://www.amctheatres.com)).

Thanks for saying 'sophisticated' in quotes.

Signed,
The Ugly American :)

bousozoku

Apr 29, 2004, 11:37 PM

If cars have bonnets there, and women have bonnets here, do cars wear Easter bonnets there? :D (Actually, it's been a long time since I've seen a woman with an Easter bonnet here. They used to wear gloves too.)

Spellings certainly are noticeably different at times--e.g. plough, plow, kerb, curb.

Not only are there different spellings here, but few people care to actually pronounce the whole word. It's somewhat disturbing when they're also talking with their mouths full. Reading lips can be quite disgusting. :eek:

I don't think you'll ever hear someone here say "half eight", only "eight thirty" or "half past eight".

whocares

Apr 29, 2004, 11:42 PM

I don't think you'll ever hear someone here say "half eight", only "eight thirty" or "half past eight".

Talking of eight, I just love it how you say eiddy in the States, like eiddy five (85). When I say eighTy five here with the 'T', people don't usually understand, so I just adapt and say eiddyfive.

bousozoku

Apr 29, 2004, 11:48 PM

Talking of eight, I just love it how you say eiddy in the States, like eiddy five (85). When I say eighTy five here with the 'T', people don't usually understand, so I just adapt and say eiddyfive.

You could also talk about thirt een outside of the U.S. and thirteen here. :D

Kyle?

Apr 30, 2004, 12:19 AM

Talking of eight, I just love it how you say eiddy in the States, like eiddy five (85). When I say eighTy five here with the 'T', people don't usually understand, so I just adapt and say eiddyfive.

You're messed up there, my friend. If you're actually saying eighTy five then I don't know a single american who couldn't understand what you were saying.

Awimoway

Apr 30, 2004, 12:38 AM

As an American in Britain (when I was a kid, for three years), I remember calling Warwick WAR•wick and not, as the British say it, WAR•ick (no W in the second syllable). That is, until we learned better. Any Brit visiting the States who wants a good laugh should ask young people (because most older people get it reasonably correct, since they've heard of it) to read the name of the brown sauce in a bottle used in some sauces: Worcestershire.

The same sound, not really a word, is spelled "uh" in America and "er" in Britain. Because of course the "r" isn't silent in America. Actually it's nearly silent in New England, New York City, and Southern accents, but we don't actually put it into the spelling of words where it doesn't belong.

Americans have a tendency to refer to the whole of the UK as "England" and anyone from the UK as "English" when of course there are Scots, Welsh, and people from Northern Ireland (what is the shorthand name for them? Ulsters?) who also comprise the people of Great Britain.

And even when we get the name right, our forms tend to be a little different. You will rarely if ever hear an American refer to the people of the UK as "Britons" but this term is used frequently over there. When we're not erroneously calling them English, we usually use the adjectival form, British (as in, "the British") and occasionally the shortened form, "Brits."

Also, a lot of Americans wrongly call things that are Scottish (including people from Scotland) "Scotch." But Brits don't seem to use the adjectival form "Scottish" nearly as much as the adjectival form "Scots" as in, say, "a Scots brigade." But you're as likely to hear an American use "Scots" as an adjective as you are to hear them say "Britons" to refer to contemporary residents of the British Isles (the ancient tribe is another matter--we do get that right).

Likewise, we never refer to ourselves as "Yanks." When an American speaks of "Yankees" he is either referring to the baseball team or people from the Northeast.

Americans call a long, thin, cucmber-like squash "zucchini." Brits call it "corgettes" (my spelling may be off). We've called it zucchini because the first such vegetables were shipped to America from Italy by an exporter named Zucchini.

On the other hand, we don't call vaccum cleaners "Hoovers." We call them vacuum cleaners (of course). But Brits typically refer to them by the brand name of the original manufacturer, W.H. Hoover. He's an American, by the way. :D

Also, Flowbee excepted, we don't use single quote marks: ‘ and ’ to mark words and direct quotations like the British do. We always use double quote marks.

Different nouns require use of the definite article, "the," before them. Brits "go to hospital" but Americans always "go to the hospital" even if they aren't referring to a specific hospital. And the reverse is true for other nouns. I can't think of any examples though. I think school might one though. An American can legally say that he is going to "go to school" when he has a specific school in mind, but a Brit must say he is "going to the school" when a specific school is in mind. Feel free to correct me if this is a bad example.

That's all I've got for now. :D

Awimoway

Apr 30, 2004, 12:41 AM

One more: When playing games, kids in America, use "turn" where British kids use "go," as in: "Let me have a turn" vs. "Let me have a go" and "it's my turn" vs. "it's my go."

macka

Apr 30, 2004, 01:17 AM

Nah, Aussie speak is annoying!
-----------------
Disclaimer
This flamebait is merely here to bring or Aussie friends (or other anglophones) into the discussion.
I believe that Canadian spelling is closer to British spelling?

LOL. Aussies definitely speak 'British' english not 'American' english.

Lolly = Candy
Cookie = Biscuit
Donut = Doughnut
Cantaloupe = Rockmelon

mrdeep

Apr 30, 2004, 01:18 AM

I like how the Americans pronounce cities in New England:

Nore-wich (US) = 'Norich' (UK)
Green-wich = 'Grennich' (UK)
How would you say Gloucesteshire in the US? :eek: :p :p

I'm from Connecticut, and the only time I've ever heard someone call the town Greenwich (http://www.greenwichct.org/Home/default.asp) "Green-wich" was when I was about 10 and reading it off a map "Green witch? sounds scary". It is pronounced "Grennich" here too.

And as for Norwich (http://www.norwichct.org/), yeah, we say it as "Nore-wich".

Lets hear it for inconsistency!

Zaid

Apr 30, 2004, 07:52 AM

These always grate when i listen to my American colleagues:

Saying gotten instead of got
A: It has gotten much better
B: It has got much better

Using the verb ‘to write’ with a direct rather than indirect object
A: I’ll write you
B: I’ll write to you

But then we say ‘I’ll email you’ and ‘I’ll ring you’ so no consistency :rolleyes:

Also
A: on a team
B: in a team

Americans also use regular past participles where we use irregular forms (coz they sound better, i dunno :) )

eg.
American British
spell spelled spelt
learn learned learnt

Then of course there is the American pronunciation of the word herbs as ‘erbs, whereas we say herbs, coz there’s an h in it! :D

Though we have through for the American thru. Actually i’m with the Americans on this one :) Coz we really need that silent gh at the end, for support you understand ;)

This list could just go on for ever …

e-coli

Apr 30, 2004, 08:42 AM

Aluminium???????

This one I have never understood. ;)

Here it's Aluminum.

mgargan1

Apr 30, 2004, 08:51 AM

I was wondering if people in other countries can imitate an american accent? I know Kate Beckinsale did a very good accent in Pearl Harbor, and other movies she's been in. However, I myself can imitate a french accent, a British accent, a russian accent, a spanish accent, a russian etc... but do people of other nationalities do an american accent? And if they do, which accent do they do? There are so many, like up mid-north where they say Min-ee-soo-ta, or Northeast, where it's Ba-stin (Boston), or the slower Southern accent, or the Texan accent, or the traditional "TV speak", I mean there are so many different accents all througout the country. Even in New York, there are different accents depending on where you go.

There are even different words used, like people outside the East Coast use the word "pop" to refer to a soft drink, while people where I come from the Washington DC. area use the word "soda".

So I was just curious as to which accent you imitate when you're trying to imitate an American... and please don't say you speak like Bush...

one more thing, sorry about the misspellings..

takao

Apr 30, 2004, 09:32 AM

well if somebody imitates a american languege i guess it is most of the time texan accent which people try to put an accent in it
and yeah including words like "howdy" :rolleyes:

accents exist in every language

norther germans having problems with understanding swiss german,or austrian accents on the opposite people from bavaria have no problem with eastern austria accents but still have problems with swiss german (which is still very similiar to old german from the pre lutherian time) and western austria (where ilive...we still use our allemanic influenced accent...similiar to swiss one...)

most people from vienna etc. have problems with understanding those western dialekts of german language .... which are of course different from town to town there

craigdawg

Apr 30, 2004, 09:56 AM

accents exist in every language

norther germans having problems with understanding swiss german,or austrian accents on the opposite people from bavaria have no problem with eastern austria accents but still have problems with swiss german (which is still very similiar to old german from the pre lutherian time) and western austria (where ilive...we still use our allemanic influenced accent...similiar to swiss one...)

Definitely. I remember a conversation I had with my cousin when I visited her in Chicago. If you recall the "Superfans" on SNL then you know what I'm talking about. Daaaaa Bearssss. The whole time we were talking I was thinking to myself, "she has a funny accent."

Then I realized (or realised) that I probably sound just as funny to her with my California accent. And I'm sure I said "dude" or "sweet" at least once each. :)

macka

Apr 30, 2004, 11:02 AM

Oh yeah, I can imitate an American accent and a British accent. An Indian and Asian accent too!

It's all part of the fun. Most people in Australia can do all four. :)

Lyle

Apr 30, 2004, 11:10 AM

What differences have you noticed?The figure of speech that I've picked up on most recently is that Brits will say they're beginning to do something "in anger", e.g.
"I've just started studying the violin in anger."whereas Americans would instead say something like:
"I've just started studying the violin seriously."

agreenster

Apr 30, 2004, 11:17 AM

I love that languages constantly evolve and change, including dialects and accents. So much fun. I dont think the "British" accent or Australian accent are annoying. I hate it when people judge based on accent or language.

I love King of the Hill's Boomhauer accent. "Dang 'ol talkaboutit runaroundit behind the thing dang ol man." Awesome.

I'm from the Midwest, so I have the typical "TV talk" accent, without much of a distinction. But I like the "Hey 'dare I'm from MineeeSOOta don't ya know" accent the best. So funny.

Bennet

Apr 30, 2004, 11:25 AM

However, I myself can imitate a french accent, a British accent, a russian accent, a spanish accent, a russian etc... but do people of other nationalities do an american accent?
Actually it is fairly likely that to those people groups your accent imitation is way off and is just representative of how the American media portrays those accents.

Being Australian I can only speak for us, but I always get a good laugh when hearing 'Australian' characters in American movies and TV! Such a stupid sounding accent!

The really weird thing though is that many American producers think they know the accent so well that when Australian actors play Australian characters in American movies they force them to put on the strange accents!

When my family went over to the US for a holiday (vacation) we only had trouble having two words understood. The first suprisingly was 'Coke', whenever we asked for it we'd be answered with the question 'You want cake?'. The second was even more confusing. We have five in our family so several times we had to ask for five of something. Several of those times people thought we were saying 'four'! I really don't understand that one! We had to put on a really thick US accent when saying it. Because of that trouble I get to say I snuck into the White House illegally! ;)

whocares

Apr 30, 2004, 11:38 AM

You're messed up there, my friend. If you're actually saying eighTy five then I don't know a single american who couldn't understand what you were saying.

Maybe, but you need to factor in the English accent and the fact that they are usually so suprised at that that they don't pay enough attention to what I'm saying. ;)

bousozoku

Apr 30, 2004, 11:41 AM

I'm from Connecticut, and the only time I've ever heard someone call the town Greenwich (http://www.greenwichct.org/Home/default.asp) "Green-wich" was when I was about 10 and reading it off a map "Green witch? sounds scary". It is pronounced "Grennich" here too.

And as for Norwich (http://www.norwichct.org/), yeah, we say it as "Nore-wich".

Lets hear it for inconsistency!

Tell me about it. Newark, New Jersey and Newark, Delaware pronounce their city names differently. The latter is more like New ark. :D

macka: Your rockmelon is also a muskmelon here. Also, while we don't use lolly for candy, lollypop, also known as a sucker, is a type of candy.

Zaid: We used spelt and learnt in the northeastern U.S and pavement instead of sidewalk, which the rest of the U.S. uses.

Accents definitely differ a lot in various regions. When I was young, we lived in Vaginia, which is spelt Virginia. (Read that carefully! :D) My cousins lived in Luzianna, which is spelt Louisianna.

Danrose1977

Apr 30, 2004, 11:43 AM

The figure of speech that I've picked up on most recently is that Brits will say they're beginning to do something "in anger", e.g.
"I've just started studying the violin in anger."whereas Americans would instead say something like:
"I've just started studying the violin seriously."

Sorry mate, never heard that one.

My favourites have to be the placenames:

I say Wustershir
You say War cester shire

I say Gloster
You say Glow cester shire

I say Edinbura
You say Edin burrowg
....or one of you yanks did anyway. I was working as a waiter in Gloucester and got asked if they could drive there this afternoon.

PS: What is Black pudding in America? Do you get it? What about Yorkshire pudding?

whocares

Apr 30, 2004, 11:48 AM

Americans have a tendency to refer to the whole of the UK as "England" and anyone from the UK as "English" when of course there are Scots, Welsh, and people from Northern Ireland (what is the shorthand name for them? Ulsters?) who also comprise the people of Great Britain.

The UK (United Kingdom) corresponds to Great Britain (GB) & Northern Iraland. GB refers to England, Wales ans Scotland which are all on the same island.

------------

And to continue with pronunciation,
its vit*a*mins, not *VI*-tamins. :p

'Gotten' is actually the old way of saying it, just like 'I have forgotten'. It just evolve in the UK from its 'original' form. IMHO, 'I have gotten' sounds better than 'I have got' which feels like it's had its end truncated (which it has). BTW, I will use both.

Last and not least: greatings!
What's with 'How are you doin' today?' - would you really care to know how I was doing yesterday or how I will be doing tomorrow?
:confused: :p :D
'Have a good one' - this one really cracks me up. Have a good what? ;)

wordmunger

Apr 30, 2004, 12:07 PM

The thing that messed me up more than anything in Britain was buying train tickets:

Me: Two tickets for Cambridge, please
Clerk: Will that be a single or a return?
Me: No, there are two of us.
Clerk: Yes, single?
Me: No, two--me and my wife.
Clerk: Yes, two tickets, but will that be single or return?
Me: (light bulb flashes over my head) Oh! Single must be one way? So return is round trip?
Clerk: (stares at me in confusion)
Me: Oh, yes, I mean, two *return* tickets to Cambridge
Clerk: Very well, then--why didn't you just say that in the first place?

OutThere

Apr 30, 2004, 12:14 PM

I've had stuff about this in my signature for a while...I have a link to a great UK <-> US dictionary in there. There are some things that I find really amusing...:D

russed

Apr 30, 2004, 12:32 PM

I think British speak is annoying....

Flame away :p

we created the language (well stole a bit from the french and romans and then the ameriican's ruined it a bit more! though i do suppose you spell things a bit more logically e.g.

colour = color

i think missing out the u is a bit more sensible

russed

Apr 30, 2004, 12:34 PM

What about Yorkshire pudding?

mmmm... yorkshire pudding! :D

MatMistake

Apr 30, 2004, 12:34 PM

Me: Oh, yes, I mean, two *return* tickets to Cambridge
Clerk: Very well, then--why didn't you just say that in the first place?

you weren't going from peterborough (said peterbra) were you? the guy who works at the train station is an arse...

one thing that thay got right in america is 'thay'. in the UK its spelt 'they' but I just can't work out how you say it with an 'e' rather than 'a' sound...

'thru' is horrid, admitedly 'through' is a bit silly, but 'thru' is just an ugly looking little word

whocares

Apr 30, 2004, 12:35 PM

bousozoku

Apr 30, 2004, 12:41 PM

you weren't going from peterborough (said peterbra) were you? the guy who works at the train station is an arse...

one thing that thay got right in america is 'thay'. in the UK its spelt 'they' but I just can't work out how you say it with an 'e' rather than 'a' sound...

'thru' is horrid, admitedly 'through' is a bit silly, but 'thru' is just an ugly looking little word

Thru isn't a word here, either. People started using it, and a lot of similar things, in the 1960s and they persisted. Slang seems to be more a part of American English than it should be. I'm surprised that people here even recognise proper English most of the time.

encro

Apr 30, 2004, 12:54 PM

Being Australian I can only speak for us, but I always get a good laugh when hearing 'Australian' characters in American movies and TV! Such a stupid sounding accent!

I would have agreed with you up until about 2 weeks ago watching Jerry Springer. When an Aussie stood up to comment his accent stood out so much against all the American accents :)

encro

Apr 30, 2004, 12:57 PM

To go (Take Out) Vs Take Away.

My pet hate is the word: gotten (It's not a Word!!! and got isnt used in the same manner either :) )

MatMistake

Apr 30, 2004, 12:58 PM

Thru isn't a word here, either. People started using it, and a lot of similar things, in the 1960s and they persisted.
it seems that it has ended up a word in america
dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=thru&r=67) look at the sources

some pretty crappy slang has ended up as part of the english language, I think its more to do with the makers of dictionaries trying to be 'cool' (for example my browser's spell check has no problems with the word 'crappy')

To go (Take Out) Vs Take Away.
'take away' is like 'take out', but not 'to go'
insted of being asked "would you like that to go?" you'd be asked "would you like to eat in or out?"

MongoTheGeek

Apr 30, 2004, 01:27 PM

I love King of the Hill's Boomhauer accent. "Dang 'ol talkaboutit runaroundit behind the thing dang ol man." Awesome.

I have a neighbor who does that. Its not quite as bad as boomhauer unless he gets excited but then he goes straight to unintelligable.

I heard someone say "We have Mr. Dubois[du-BWAH] here today. It's spelled like Dubois[DU-boice] except pronounced different." it was bad.

Lyle

Apr 30, 2004, 01:36 PM

The figure of speech that I've picked up on most recently is that Brits will say they're beginning to do something "in anger"...Sorry mate, never heard that one.Hmm, maybe it's an Australian expression; but for some reason I thought it was something that British people said. Here (http://tinyurl.com/33b4w) is a link to the thread where I first came across the expression.

bousozoku

Apr 30, 2004, 01:52 PM

it seems that it has ended up a word in america
dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=thru&r=67) look at the sources

some pretty crappy slang has ended up as part of the english language, I think its more to do with the makers of dictionaries trying to be 'cool' (for example my browser's spell check has no problems with the word 'crappy')

'take away' is like 'take out', but not 'to go'
insted of being asked "would you like that to go?" you'd be asked "would you like to eat in or out?"

I know that things end up in the dictionary, even though they're not really words. e.g., flammable. In the 1960s, people here were too stupid to realise that inflammable meant that something was prone to burn. They thought that it meant the opposite, so the language gods removed 'in' and we've ended up with a partial word on the back of various tankers.

When people ask me if I'd like it to go, I've often thought about responding "No, I'd like to eat it here at the counter." ;)

goodwill

Apr 30, 2004, 02:22 PM

I thoroughly enjoy how Brits will never apologiZe for anything, but they will apologiSe for everything. of course only after they realiZed what they really shouldve realised. :)

macka

Apr 30, 2004, 08:50 PM

I thoroughly enjoy how Brits will never apologiZe for anything, but they will apologiSe for everything. of course only after they realiZed what they really shouldve realised. :)

I would get a rapping over the knuckles if I spelt realised, internalised, institutionalised, sterilised and all the rest with a Z.

Krizoitz

Apr 30, 2004, 11:19 PM

I would get a rapping over the knuckles if I spelt realised, internalised, institutionalised, sterilised and all the rest with a Z.

then shouldn't you pronounce them real-iced internal-iced, etc. They are pronounced with a Z so they should be spelled with a Z

Awimoway

Apr 30, 2004, 11:28 PM

then shouldn't you pronounce them real-iced internal-iced, etc. They are pronounced with a Z so they should be spelled with a Z

Oh, and how do you say despised, devised, and surprised?

Let's not start defending American English or British English on the grounds that either is more logical. We all know that ours (the English of both nations) is a hodgepodge language with quite possibly the least phonetic spelling system of any written language in existence. Love it for its unparalleled diversity, flexibility, and inclusion, but not for its internal consistency because it has none.

Awimoway

Apr 30, 2004, 11:48 PM

The UK (United Kingdom) corresponds to Great Britain (GB) & Northern Iraland. GB refers to England, Wales ans Scotland which are all on the same island.

I had a feeling, whilst writing my earlier post, that I might be getting something wrong. But I'm still a bit confused, so any clarification you can provide would be appreciated.

The expression "the British Isles" includes Ireland, doesn't it? And I thought the island that England, Wales, and Scotland share was called "Britannia," not "Great Britain." Or is Britannia merely the latinized version of the same thing (much like Scotia = Scotland)?

On the other hand, I seem to remember seeing the full name of the country as The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, so I'll concede that I'm probably wrong on this detail. But I'm not convinced every Brit is as clear on this as you are. It sure seemed to me like some of them used "Great Britain" to refer to the whole country and not just one island. Is it possible there are at least a few ignorant Brits running afoul of this distinction?

Again, any clarification would be kindly appreciated. :)

Westside guy

May 1, 2004, 01:14 AM

Thru isn't a word here, either. People started using it, and a lot of similar things, in the 1960s and they persisted. Slang seems to be more a part of American English than it should be. I'm surprised that people here even recognise proper English most of the time.

The problem with saying something like this is you're treating the language as if it's a static entity - it isn't. Any language, including English, evolves to follow peoples' usage of the language. So in the instance you're mentioning - "thru" was not a word in the past, but very well may be considered an actual word in the future. "Ain't" is now in most dictionaries. If you want to go back for an older example, look up "snafu".

bousozoku

May 1, 2004, 05:30 AM

The problem with saying something like this is you're treating the language as if it's a static entity - it isn't. Any language, including English, evolves to follow peoples' usage of the language. So in the instance you're mentioning - "thru" was not a word in the past, but very well may be considered an actual word in the future. "Ain't" is now in most dictionaries. If you want to go back for an older example, look up "snafu".

At least, snafu has a reason other that laziness for being there--fubar should be there too.

I'm not saying that any language should not evolve but it's pathetic when a language takes on words that only exist because of the uneducated.

MatMistake

May 1, 2004, 07:54 AM

The expression "the British Isles" includes Ireland, doesn't it? And I thought the island that England, Wales, and Scotland share was called "Britannia," not "Great Britain." Or is Britannia merely the latinized version of the same thing (much like Scotia = Scotland)?

Again, any clarification would be kindly appreciated. :)

Great Britain, or just plain Britain, refers to England, Scotland and Wales plus the Isle of Wight, the Isles of Scilly, the Hebrides, the Orkney and Shetland islands.
The British Isles includes Great Britain plus Ireland and the Isle of Man
The United Kingdom is Great Britian, and Northern Ireland. The full name of the state is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or just the UK

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not part of the UK, but are under its sovereignty along with a number of Overseas Territories. This is a bit confusing, but I think these act as seperate countrys, but follow british law, and their citizens get a british passport.

and just to confuse things a little more, the 'country code' for the United Kingdom is GBR in 3 letter form, or GB in the two letter form.

I found most of this at wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) so if there is anything more you want to know, try searching there :)

bont

May 1, 2004, 08:31 AM

Nobody has pointed out the 'American English' spelling for MacRumors yet....;)

Awimoway

May 1, 2004, 10:58 AM

and just to confuse things a little more, the 'country code' for the United Kingdom is GBR in 3 letter form, or GB in the two letter form.

Thanks. :) I guess I won't feel too bad for my faux pas. It is indeed a bit confusing.

Doctor Q

May 1, 2004, 11:08 AM

Earendil

May 1, 2004, 12:10 PM

Now, all forms "mutation" of words over 50/100/1000 years I can understand. But where do you Brits get off calling OUR TelephoneBooth[ a TelephoneBox ?!! We made the damn thing, and it was only in very recent history :D
Course there is the whole Vacuum cleaner/hoover fiasco as well :)

The most enjoyable part for me in the languages, is just the different words that are used in normal speech (not the abnormalities). Like I hung out with a British couple in Costa Rica for a week, and everything was "That's Brilliant!" sometimes adding in the occasional "bloody" :)

Oh...We swapped so many that I can't now remember...

Tyler
Earendil

miloblithe

May 1, 2004, 12:26 PM

What about Indian English, with great expressions like "cent percent" instead of "100 percent." I love that.

I for one have a grudge against British English because when I was an EFL teacher, any time I tried to point out mistakes of other teachers in the area schools, they would say that what I was saying was just some "American variant of English," and that they were teaching "proper British English." It annoyed me to no end because, all but one time, they were completely wrong (I am an American, but I've lived in England for a while, and half my family is English, so I'm pretty aware of the vocab, spelling, and grammar differences).

evoluzione

May 1, 2004, 12:29 PM

The British Isles includes Great Britain plus Ireland and the Isle of Man

cheers for that clarification mate, but surely you mean Northern Ireland?? as the Republic of Ireland (Eire) has absolutely nothing to do with England, Great Britain, The United Kingdom, The British Isles or anything, right?

not to forget, there's the Commonwealth too of course...thinking of it, isn't Massachussetts a commonwealth? what's that about???

oh yeah, and gotten...vile word. got isn't much better. you should never have to use those words, ever. "Do you have"...rather than "have you got", for instance.

and as Awimoway said, neither American or English is correct. Language evolves. i'm much happier now i realised this having been in NYC for 6 years now. it used to really get to me hearing some things, but now i've actually started to use American English more, if only to be understood!

what does really annoy the hell out of me though, both here and back home in England, is the will "till". I was reading the BBC news online today and saw that word used. It is not "till" it's an abbreviation of "until" and therefore should have an apostrophe, and only one L no? 'til not till.

Doctor Q

May 1, 2004, 12:29 PM

The Hoover business: When a single brand name dominates a market, it often becomes the generic term, as in "I bought a Canon-brand Xerox machine". In England and other countries (I know this from a friend in Norway), Hoover was the major brand of vacuum cleaner so it was natural for the name to catch on as a generic.

Here's a fun joke to use with friends (but only verbally, not in print): Ask them to name the only English word containing the sequence C W M. When they give up, tell them it's vacuum. Get it?

evoluzione

May 1, 2004, 12:32 PM

but of course...you Americans don't speak no proper english like what we do. :D

sadly the english language is becoming so so bad...everytime i go home, i hate it. my accent (a mix of london and country) has become more northern england since living in nyc. work that one out.

Awimoway

May 1, 2004, 12:51 PM

I've puzzled over this one as well (by the way: "as well", meaning "also" is much more common in British English than American, but it's a habit I picked up when I lived there). But both "until" and "till" are in dictionaries. I'm sure it's obvious that "till" is a variant of "until," but I think it has become a standard and acceptable alternative to the more slang-looking 'til. It's just another example of the illogical ways in which our language has evolved: two words that sound nearly the same and have the same meaning. Clearly one would be enough, but that's just not how it worked out.

The OED makes no mention of it being nonstandard and shows that it has a lengthy history:

till, prep., conj., adv.

II. Of time.

5. a. Onward to (a specified time); up to the time of (an event); during the whole time before; until. (Denoting continuance up to a particular time, and usually implying cessation or change at that time: cf. B. 1.)

c1330 R. BRUNNE Chron. Wace (Rolls) 27 Fro Eneas till Brutus tyme. c1375 Cursor M. 498 (Fairf.) Sa ai sal tille [Cott., Gött. to] domes day. a1400 Sir Perc. 25 Fro thethyne tille his lyves ende. a1548 HALL Chron., Edw. IV 232b, He kepte all these thinges secret, tyll his retorne. 1588, 1827 [see MORN 2b]. 1591 SHAKES. 1 Hen. VI, I. ii. 127 Fight till the last gaspe. 1611 BIBLE Exod. xvi. 19 Let no man leaue of it till the morning. 1632 SIR R. LE GRYS tr. Velleius Paterc. Ded. 7 From the foundation of the city till the ruine of the Macedonian kingdome. 1824 SCOTT St. Ronan's xxxviii, She doubted if the woman would live till morning.

b. After a negative, denoting the continuance of the negative condition up to the time indicated (and implying its cessation then); thus nearly equivalent to before. Cf. B. 1b.

1590 SHAKES. Com. Err. II. ii. 164, I neuer saw her till this time. 1649 HEYLIN Relat. & Observ. II. 155 To give no account for it till Doomes-day in the afternoone. 1671 LADY M. BERTIE in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 22 The grand ballett is not to be danced till Shrove-Munday. 1719 DE FOE Crusoe (1790) I. 28 [He] begged of me not to go on shore till day. 1861 M. PATTISON Ess. (1889) I. 41 It was not till the fourteenth century that their guild rose into wealth and importance. 1887 MRS. OLIPHANT Makers Venice II. ii. 177 The news..did not reach him till long after the event.

c. Followed by an adverb (or adv. phr.) of time. Cf. NOW 13, THEN 7.

c1380 WYCLIF Last Age Church 30 Fro Crist til now, rittene hundrid eer and sixe and fyfty. a1518 SKELTON Magnyf. 319 Fare you well tyll sone. 1535 COVERDALE Prov. xxix. 11 A foole poureth out his sprete alltogether, but a wyse man kepeth it in till afterwarde. 1598 SHAKES. Merry W. V. i. 28, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten, till lately. 1667 MILTON P.L. II. 744, I know thee not, nor ever saw till now Sight more detestable. 1746 FRANCIS tr. Horace, Epist. I. vii. 107 Till then farewel. 1844 KINGLAKE Eothen viii, It was not till after midnight that my visit..came to an end. Mod. I stayed till after ten o'clock.

evoluzione

May 1, 2004, 12:55 PM

The OED makes no mention of it being nonstandard and shows that it has a lengthy history:

well no s%*t. thanks! i love this learning stuff! even if i am proven wrong etc.... :)

Krizoitz

May 1, 2004, 01:18 PM

MatMistake

May 1, 2004, 01:31 PM

cheers for that clarification mate, but surely you mean Northern Ireland?? as the Republic of Ireland (Eire) has absolutely nothing to do with England, Great Britain, The United Kingdom, The British Isles or anything, right?

nope, the British Isles includes the whole of Ireland because it is a geographical distinction, not a political one :)

like Norway is part of Europe, but not part of the European Union
(which leads to the Euro coins looking rather comical, as thay miss out Norway and make Sweden and Finland look a bit suspect)

Westside guy

May 1, 2004, 03:44 PM

But both "until" and "till" are in dictionaries. I'm sure it's obvious that "till" is a variant of "until," but I think it has become a standard and acceptable alternative to the more slang-looking 'til.

'Tis clear you're not a gardener. :D I'm sure the English occasionally till before sowing their vegetable marrows. :p

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=till

evoluzione

May 1, 2004, 04:03 PM

nope, the British Isles includes the whole of Ireland because it is a geographical distinction, not a political one :)

like Norway is part of Europe, but not part of the European Union
(which leads to the Euro coins looking rather comical, as thay miss out Norway and make Sweden and Finland look a bit suspect)

hah, wonder how the Irish feel about that.

thanks again fella

jefhatfield

May 1, 2004, 04:30 PM

Awimoway

May 1, 2004, 06:32 PM

well no s%*t. thanks! i love this learning stuff! even if i am proven wrong etc.... :)

I love it too. I was an English major. The required linguistics courses were really fun. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to fit the "History of the English Language" course into my schedule, but I covered a lot of it in other classes.

With all the cross-Atlantic interaction here at the forums, we tend to focus on the differences between our common language and complain about the way each country speaks, but the language itself, the thing we have in common, is really so wonderful we ought to take more time to step back and just appreciate this great thing that we share. No offense to those whose native tongue is not English, but I don't think it was just chance that the greatest writer in history wrote in English. It's such a rich and varied language. There isn't another major language in the world that is less rigid about the way things have to be said. It's a very libertarian tongue. There's no academy dictating to us what can and can't be said. We have all the sophistication of the latin-based languages and all the earthiness of the germanic languages. We'll unabashedly appropriate any word or construction--foreign, slang, abbreviation, acronym, etc. that pleases the tongue and gets at the heart of the meaning. It's wonderful.

Okay. That's enough kiss-ass eulogizing for one day. :D

Kyle?

May 1, 2004, 06:51 PM

macka

May 1, 2004, 07:47 PM

With all the cross-Atlantic interaction here at the forums, we tend to focus on the differences between our common language and complain about the way each country speaks, but the language itself, the thing we have in common, is really so wonderful we ought to take more time to step back and just appreciate this great thing that we share. No offense to those whose native tongue is not English, but I don't think it was just chance that the greatest writer in history wrote in English. It's such a rich and varied language. There isn't another major language in the world that is less rigid about the way things have to be said. It's a very libertarian tongue. There's no academy dictating to us what can and can't be said. We have all the sophistication of the latin-based languages and all the earthiness of the germanic languages. We'll unabashedly appropriate any word or construction--foreign, slang, abbreviation, acronym, etc. that pleases the tongue and gets at the heart of the meaning. It's wonderful.

Well said :)
I agree, without all the awesome accents, different rules of spelling and language English wouldn't be half as interesting as it is.

pseudobrit

May 2, 2004, 02:17 AM

My pet hate is the word: gotten (It's not a Word!!! and got isnt used in the same manner either :) )

Gotten is the past participle of got. It most certainly is a word.

Here's a fun joke to use with friends (but only verbally, not in print): Ask them to name the only English word containing the sequence C W M. When they give up, tell them it's vacuum. Get it?

The spoiler to this otherwise trick question would be the word cwm (http://www.bartleby.com/61/6/C0830600.html).

erik1975

May 2, 2004, 03:43 AM

you weren't going from peterborough (said peterbra) were you?

I am an American living/working in Peterborough. Sure, I have learned a lot of "new" words while I have been here so far. What I find difficult are how the regions of England (not the UK, just England) have different pronunciations for words. It is amazing that a country the size of the state of Illinois has so many different accents as well!

About the pronunciation of Peterborough, the "borough" is either said "burrow" or "bra" depending on where you are from in the country. I find that most people I know locally use "burrow". Just listen to 95.7 BBS radio Camrdigeshire!

My other main pet peeve is the word schedule.
American - sked-ule
England - shed-ule

My common response is, do you go to School, or Shool? :)

crap freakboy

May 2, 2004, 05:15 AM

Rounders (usually played by girls) = Baseball
Rugby = American Football (played with heaps of padding, just incase somebody might get an 'ickle' bruise...bless)

and this should cover everything
http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/~jphb/american.html

mgargan1

May 2, 2004, 08:24 AM

is it just me or does Sweden and Finland look phallic in the Euro? I'm not trying to make fun of your currency. I was just wondering if anybody else thought that, or if my head is in the gutter...

glosterseagul

May 2, 2004, 08:52 AM

Fanny is not only female private part. It could be the buttocks as well. You've heard of fanny packs, haven't you?

exactly my point in UK Fanny IS a ladie's "front bottom!" Therefore a fanny pack in the uk would be a "time of the month" pad! :D

glosterseagul

May 2, 2004, 09:24 AM

To go (Take Out) Vs Take Away.

My pet hate is the word: gotten (It's not a Word!!! and got isnt used in the same manner either :) )

My Grandmother wouldn't allow me to say "I have GOT to go" or "I have GOT one"

She said GOT was superfluous non word! so..."I have one" or I have to go"

Not sure if I would be alive now if I would have said.."GOTTEN" :eek:

glosterseagul

May 2, 2004, 09:36 AM

The problem with saying something like this is you're treating the language as if it's a static entity - it isn't. Any language, including English, evolves to follow peoples' usage of the language. So in the instance you're mentioning - "thru" was not a word in the past, but very well may be considered an actual word in the future. "Ain't" is now in most dictionaries. If you want to go back for an older example, look up "snafu".

Totally agree... the dictionary will change to reflect the current meaning

eg sophisticated - we think as posh/educated/complicated/technically advanced; but sophis meant false. so a "sophisticted person" meant that they are pretending to be something they are not! :confused:

glosterseagul

May 2, 2004, 09:45 AM

what does really annoy the hell out of me though, both here and back home in England, is the will "till". I was reading the BBC news online today and saw that word used. It is not "till" it's an abbreviation of "until" and therefore should have an apostrophe, and only one L no? 'til not till.

There are two words < 'til > and < till >. Till is a word on its own! :p

glosterseagul

May 2, 2004, 10:01 AM

What an interesting thread!

I also agree that england has so many diffrent accents - some people can tell what villiage someone comes from. Birmingham has lots of diffrent accents.

I moved to Gloucester from Brighton. When I first moved here I said "I'll see you later" meaning "I'll see you around, goodbye" People were confused and thought "I would be back soon" :)

macka

May 2, 2004, 05:08 PM

Totally agree... the dictionary will change to reflect the current meaning

eg sophisticated - we think as posh/educated/complicated/technically advanced; but sophis meant false. so a "sophisticted person" meant that they are pretending to be something they are not! :confused:

Brings a whole new meaning to the comment I got on my essay the other day.... "...a sophisticated response..."

Let's just say that I'm ****ing glad the meaning of sophisticated has changed over time....
:cool:

glosterseagul

May 3, 2004, 06:11 AM

Good example of this is "No Pants Day!" Pants in the Uk are Knickers! (or underpants) :confused:

pseudobrit

May 3, 2004, 07:55 AM

I am an American living/working in Peterborough. Sure, I have learned a lot of "new" words while I have been here so far. What I find difficult are how the regions of England (not the UK, just England) have different pronunciations for words. It is amazing that a country the size of the state of Illinois has so many different accents as well!

I imagine the erosion of dialect is a problem there also. I speak a dialect of the English language that is influenced by "Pennsylvania Dutch" (which is a misnomer; it's old German, or Deutsche).

If I spoke to someone from Chicago over the phone in a normal everyday tone, they'd immediately notice my accent, grammar, phrasing, pronunciation, and vocabulary differences. I couldn't even tell you half of the differences because it's just plain English to me.

glosterseagul

May 3, 2004, 09:35 AM

I imagine the erosion of dialect is a problem there also. I speak a dialect of the English language that is influenced by "Pennsylvania Dutch" (which is a misnomer; it's old German, or Deutsche).

If I spoke to someone from Chicago over the phone in a normal everyday tone, they'd immediately notice my accent, grammar, phrasing, pronunciation, and vocabulary differences. I couldn't even tell you half of the differences because it's just plain English to me.

I can only tell the difference between north and south! and not even canadian and US, :confused:

Awimoway

May 3, 2004, 11:05 AM

I can only tell the difference between north and south! and not even canadian and US, :confused:

To most Americans, there are several relatively easily discernible accents:

Boston/New England
New York City/New Jersey
Canadian
Southern (and there are refined-sounding upper class ones that rival upper-class British accents for their innate haughtiness, and there are middle and low-class/white trash Southern accents)
Chicago
Upper Midwest (think Minnesota)
Texas (sort of a light southern accent--this is what most bad foreign impersonations of an American accent sounds like)
Urban Black (to my ears, a cross between Southern and New York)
Midwest/TV (your standard American accent that is found everywhere and is what a good foreign actor playing an American will emulate)
Valley Girl (I'm not sure this is really an accent--more of a put-on used by some youngsters, particularly in California, but it sounds distinctive)

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all American dialects, just the ones are that are easily recognized by most Americans. And there are many different accents within these over-generalized groupings, but the differences are usually lost on people who don't speak those accents. I'm sure many more major cities/regions have their own distinctive sound, but they haven't risen to national attention, for whatever reason. For example, I know Utah has a distinctive accent but it's not widely recognized so I didn't include it on my list. Same for Pseudobrit's Pennsylvania Dutch. I had a friend from Pittsburgh and he could immediately recognize if someone else was from Pittsburgh by the way they talked, but I couldn't hear much difference between them and me (who has a standard, Midwestern accent).

macka

May 3, 2004, 11:29 AM

:eek:

There are three main accents in the english language which I am aware of. American, British and Australian. And to think that within America there are more accents.... :eek: :p

Doctor Q

May 3, 2004, 11:37 AM

Midwest/TV (your standard American accent that is found everywhere and is what a good foreign actor playing an American will emulate)
Valley Girl (I'm not sure this is really an accent--more of a put-on used by some youngsters, particularly in California, but it sounds distinctive)Where in your list would the "accent" of non-valley-girl Californian's be? For example, we omit the final 'g' in our 'ing' endings, e.g., goin instead of going. Is that the same as the Midwest/TV accent, or are westerners yet another regional accent for your list?

Awimoway

May 3, 2004, 12:29 PM

Where in your list would the "accent" of non-valley-girl Californian's be? For example, we omit the final 'g' in our 'ing' endings, e.g., goin instead of going. Is that the same as the Midwest/TV accent, or are westerners yet another regional accent for your list?

I honestly don't hear any major difference between Midwest and Western speakers. I, myself, was born and raised in the West (California and Washington). I referred to the accent as "Midwestern," though, because that is how it is conventionally classified even though it is spoken all over the country.

Dropping the terminal "g" (something I do a lot) doesn't strike me as a distinct accent so much as laid back or even lazy. Or low breeding. I'll put myself in the laid back category, thank you very much. :D

I say this because, in my experience, it's common among all speakers of the Midwestern accent, regardless of where they are from. It's the kind of thing you subconsciously turn off when you are speaking in a formal setting, say, in a court or if you're reading the news on TV. I bet voicegy doesn't drop the "g" when he's doing commercials unless he's supposed to sound mellow or folksy.

Krizoitz

May 3, 2004, 12:49 PM

:eek:

There are three main accents in the english language which I am aware of. American, British and Australian. And to think that within America there are more accents.... :eek: :p

I think American, British and Australian would count more as dialects than accents.

Kyle?

May 3, 2004, 01:12 PM

Yeah, midwestern/tv can show a very lazy side when we want to. (which for me happens to be more often than i should let it be.) my brother loves impersonating a british accent and it sounds quite hideous. But when he's not actually trying, he can slip into it and do a very decent job.

Awimoway mentioned that he wasn't able to distinguish the pittsburgh accent from a midwestern one. I've found it actually quite easy (through experience, i suppose, but they're still very distinctive) One lady pronounced her name Dawna Millarn(donna milliron, but then her daughter had no accent). also caurder (corridor) and some of that extra r (warsh for wash) are some characteristic examples. It's not really anything specific, just the overall effect.

IrishGold

May 3, 2004, 01:13 PM

and some of that extra r (warsh for wash)

This is something thats very common with Texanian as well, hehe.

MongoTheGeek

May 3, 2004, 09:50 PM

Awimoway mentioned that he wasn't able to distinguish the pittsburgh accent from a midwestern one. I've found it actually quite easy (through experience, i suppose, but they're still very distinctive) One lady pronounced her name Dawna Millarn(donna milliron, but then her daughter had no accent). also caurder (corridor) and some of that extra r (warsh for wash) are some characteristic examples. It's not really anything specific, just the overall effect.

I can tell the difference between Pittsburgh, Central PA, and Pennsylvania Dutch. Chicago can also be rather distinctive..

Lets not forget the incredible variety of English accents. Its astounding sometimes hearing American's trying to do an English accent and ending up with something that slides around the map. I may not be able to say this is that, but I can spot inconsistencies.

iBook

May 3, 2004, 11:22 PM

The Yanks say... uh-reg-un-oh

The Brits say... or-e-gan-oh

(oregano)

There's a great George Bernard Shaw quote that says it all...
"England and America are two countries divided by a common language."

And a book on the subject
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966094573/102-0743024-4074514?v=glance

Doctor Q

May 3, 2004, 11:45 PM

Zaid

May 4, 2004, 04:31 AM

Gotten is the past participle of got. It most certainly is a word.

Only to Americans :p . On this side of the pond, the past participle of got is got

Gotten sounds like a child's error to my ears, but i do realise that it is good american english. :)

Nermal

May 4, 2004, 04:51 AM

Being Australian I can only speak for us, but I always get a good laugh when hearing 'Australian' characters in American movies and TV! Such a stupid sounding accent!

I saw a "New Zealander" on an American TV show the other day, sounded more like an Australian :rolleyes:

Edit: Now that I've read all the other posts, I have a couple of other things to point out: <-- Look, no "got"!

In most countries, people have slightly different accents depending on what part of the country they're from. Even here in NZ you can tell which island somebody's from.

It's been interesting to read some of these comparisons, learning that some of the words we use here are based on their American versions rather than the British ones. Naturally, I can't recall any now :(

Something that annoys me immensely - the word "matrix". Before a certain movie came out a few years ago, everyone pronounced it mat-rix. Now it seems to have changed to may-trix :mad:

Somebody mentioned cwm before. I'm not really sure whether that counts an an English word, since it's of Cymraeg (Welsh) origin. But on the other hand, phrases like déjà vu aren't English either, so I suppose I can't complain.

Today I changed the oil in my car. It involved popping the bonnet. I also checked the water, and refilled it from the bottle I keep in the boot.

We don't use the word "candy" here, we use "lolly"/"lollies" instead (or sometimes "sweets"). We watch movies or films at the "movie theatre", "picture theatre", or "pictures". The theatres refer to themselves as cinemas, but I've never heard anyone call them that during a conversation.

McDonald's and Burger King both sell French fries, which are a few mm thick, whereas KFC and Pizza Hut sell chips, which are about 1 cm thick. You can go down to the fish and chip shop, and buy fish and chips (funny that) :)

That's all from me for now, but I'm sure I'll think of more later :)

takao

May 4, 2004, 06:11 AM

McDonald's and Burger King both sell French fries, which are a few mm thick, whereas KFC and Pizza Hut sell chips, which are about 1 cm thick. You can go down to the fish and chip shop, and buy fish and chips (funny that) :)

just an addition here in german speaking "french fries" are called "pommes frites"
which comes from the french words of potatos:"pommes de terre" (="earth apples") and fried : "frites"
so it actually means "fried apples" ;)

and yeah it's commen to eat them with mayonese the closer you get to belgium ;)

sorry for being offtopic

glosterseagul

May 4, 2004, 06:16 AM

I saw a "New Zealander" on an American TV show the other day, sounded more like an Australian :rolleyes:

Saw a tv film (although movie is kreeping in here) with a lad called "Liverpool" as that is where he was from...except his accent was a deep cockney. (London) :rolleyes:

Talking of cockney - rhyming slang is interesting.

Blowing a raspberry = raspberry tart - fart
Doing bird (jail) bird lime - time
having a butchers - butchers hook - look....but thats another thread!

Awimoway

May 4, 2004, 11:16 AM

and yeah it's commen to eat them with mayonese the closer you get to belgium ;)

Mmmmmm mayonnnaise. I'll be moving to Belgium now, thank you very much. :D

bousozoku

May 4, 2004, 12:14 PM

My aunt is from Boston. After I drive, I park the car. After she drives, she'll pok the cah.

In the west, 25 cents is a qwor-ter. My relative from New Jersey says qwatt-er.

Do letter R's cost more in the east?

No, but they use them all in the warter (water) in Philadelphia. :D

iBook:

I've yet to hear anyone say "uh-reg-un-oh" for oregano here.

kiwi_the_iwik

May 4, 2004, 12:50 PM

I just don't get it...

If "Pants" are knickers, then WHAT THE HELL are "U N D E R pants"?!? Just a niggling issue.

In Australia and New Zealand, pants ARE trousers. Underpants are the garments you wear UNDER your pants to keep things in check.

glosterseagul

May 4, 2004, 05:57 PM

iBook

May 4, 2004, 06:05 PM

iBook:

I've yet to hear anyone say "uh-reg-un-oh" for oregano here.

I was thinking about that right after I posted. I'm from the Midwest, so I've heard it -- said it? :o -- that way on occasion. I mostly hear it as "oh-reg-un-oh."

Nermal

May 5, 2004, 01:27 AM

MyLeftNut

May 5, 2004, 07:38 AM

MongoTheGeek

May 5, 2004, 08:15 AM

More of a grammatical thing than a linguistic difference, but...

I've seen a cartoon floating around called "The Mystery of Britney Spearses Breasts" ;) (or something to that effect).

...Spearses? :confused:

Its that people have gotten really sloppy with apostrophes.

I know it should be Spears's
If it were Britney and her mother it would be Spearses' Breasts.

Though both are pronounced the same

MongoTheGeek

May 5, 2004, 08:19 AM

Yeah gotta luv all the accents here...one thing that does irk me though is when Americans use the word herb but say erb. How in hell did you get that?

Also words are changing from one place to the next. I was in England describing how someone was furiously angry about something when I used the word ropeable (sp?) which I hear often in OZ, like 'that guy was absolutely ropeable about such and such. The blank stares I got were priceless. I didnt realise there were so many differences..

:cool:

It was probably cockneys who used the word first here.

I had a friend in college who said "English doesn't borrow words from other languages, it follows them down the alley beats them on the head and rifles their pockets for loose change."

One interesting pronunciation difference in areas of the US is the word creek. Growing up I thought that there were two words that were synonyms, one pronounces crick and the other creak.

kiwi_the_iwik

May 5, 2004, 09:29 AM

OK - for any of you who TRULY would like to know the difference between NZ and Australian accents, well, this is for you...

Let's use the example - "Fish and Chips".

(a) If you want to sound like an Australian, you would replace your "i"'s with TWO "e"'s -

i.e. "Feesh and Cheeps"

(b) If you want to sound like a New Zealander, you would replace your "i"'s with a "u" -

i.e. "Fush and Chups"

Basically, replace those vowels, and you'll be well on the way to learning "Ozspeak" and "Kiwese".

:)

krimson

May 5, 2004, 09:49 AM

My friend was walking down Venice beach and asking people for a fag. He couldn't figure out why people were looking at him strangely.

Nermal

May 5, 2004, 06:54 PM

Its that people have gotten really sloppy with apostrophes.

I know it should be Spears's
If it were Britney and her mother it would be Spearses' Breasts.

Though both are pronounced the same

The narrator was actually saying "Spearses" too. A friend and I found it quite funny.

I know it should be Spears's

No, it should be Spears'.

wowser

May 5, 2004, 07:31 PM

this is a cool and enlightening post!

OK - for any of you who TRULY would like to know the difference between NZ and Australian accents, well, this is for you...

Let's use the example - "Fish and Chips".

(a) If you want to sound like an Australian, you would replace your "i"'s with TWO "e"'s -

i.e. "Feesh and Cheeps"

(b) If you want to sound like a New Zealander, you would replace your "i"'s with a "u" -

i.e. "Fush and Chups"

Basically, replace those vowels, and you'll be well on the way to learning "Ozspeak" and "Kiwese".

:)

bousozoku

May 5, 2004, 07:33 PM

The narrator was actually saying "Spearses" too. A friend and I found it quite funny.

No, it should be Spears'.

You're right, but about 40 years ago, Spears's was acceptable as an alternative in the U.S.A.

Awimoway

May 5, 2004, 07:51 PM

You're right, but about 40 years ago, Spears's was acceptable as an alternative in the U.S.A.

It's still acceptable. It's a stylistic choice. A judgment call. In some ways it's preferable because with Spears' you don't know if two people named Spear are being referred to or one person named Spears, but with Spears's it is clear. But most people do opt for Spears' because it seems more euphonious.

Awimoway

May 5, 2004, 07:54 PM

Yeah gotta luv all the accents here...one thing that does irk me though is when Americans use the word herb but say erb. How in hell did you get that?

I don't know. How do you say "honor"? Be "honest." :D

I'll cut you some slack, though, since you're an Aussie. But I don't get why Brits say the h in herb when they drop the initial h in everything else.

MongoTheGeek

May 5, 2004, 10:28 PM

The narrator was actually saying "Spearses" too. A friend and I found it quite funny.

No, it should be Spears'.

But there is only one of her. If there were breasts on a Spear and there were more than one of them then yes it would be the Spears' breasts.

glosterseagul

May 7, 2004, 03:17 AM

I remember this from school we did "The spy who came in from the cold"

His name was Leamus. for example "It was Leamus' watch"

proved! next ;)

Nermal

May 7, 2004, 04:20 AM

I remember this from school we did "The spy who came in from the cold"

His name was Leamus. for example "It was Leamus' watch"

proved! next ;)

Proven :p

Krizoitz

May 8, 2004, 07:29 PM

From a friends away message (she is a writer)

"English doesn't borrow from other languages. English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them out, and goes through their pockets for loose grammar."

wowser

May 8, 2004, 07:43 PM

I don't know. How do you say "honor"? Be "honest." :D

I'll cut you some slack, though, since you're an Aussie. But I don't get why Brits say the h in herb when they drop the initial h in everything else.

everything? i don't see anyone dropping the 'h'h for : hero, her, hence etc etc

bousozoku

May 8, 2004, 07:46 PM

everything? i don't see anyone dropping the 'h'h for : hero, her, hence etc etc

You have to hear it, actually ;) , but it does happen in some accents.

wowser

May 8, 2004, 07:59 PM

You have to hear it, actually ;) , but it does happen in some accents.

actually - that is true, like any regional British accent will drop the 'h' of most words.

glosterseagul

May 9, 2004, 09:38 AM

Proven :p

:)

That made oye laaarf...(as they say the west country!) :D

wowser

May 9, 2004, 10:04 AM

Talking of which, 'proven' should be pronounced 'pro - venn' , though it is almost always (wrongly) pronounced 'pru - venn' ;)

glosterseagul

May 11, 2004, 02:50 AM

Talking of which, 'proven' should be pronounced 'pro - venn' , though it is almost always (wrongly) pronounced 'pru - venn' ;)

Oxford Dictionery: Pru:v(e)n :eek:

Chappers

May 11, 2004, 03:54 AM

wowser

May 11, 2004, 08:29 AM

Oxford Dictionery: Pru:v(e)n :eek:

Damn you! oh, hang on - found this on a linguist site :

(pronounced proov'n or prov'n)

...but in this instance,
it causes me no pain whatever: "proven" is sensibly spelled and has a
respectable past in British usage.

bousozoku

May 11, 2004, 12:01 PM

My favourites are spunk(y) and wanker which have different meanings this side of the pond.
I still remember the TV show Mork and Mindy being shown here (for those who don't remember, it was a primarily a childrens show) and two characters being introduced as Mr and Mrs Wanker. Ah the look of joy on my parents face as that went out on prime time childrens TV.

I like all the foreign versions of my language and obviously use them too. Sorry I had to be sarcastic, its an English thing.

If you've ever seen "Married with Children", you might have noticed that the character Peggy Bundy was originally Peggy Wanker and I believe that she was from Wanker County as well. Naturally, that series was not for children.

Chappers

May 12, 2004, 03:21 AM

Yeh I used to watch that one. Not forgetting she (Peggy) was from Wanker county.

Applespider

May 12, 2004, 09:08 AM

Can I recommend two of Bill Bryson's books to you all which cover lots of the differences between UK and US English - and tries to figure out where they all crept in. Things like why Pittsburgh is the only US burgh with an h, why Americans gotten things that the Brits only got and why people in the US and the northern UK have more similarities in pronunciation than those who live in Southern England.

Made in America
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0380713810/qid=1084370656/sr=8-11/ref=pd_ka_11/102-5795354-2040961?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Mother Tongue
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0380715430/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/102-5795354-2040961?v=glance&s=books&st=*

Chappers

May 12, 2004, 10:50 AM

Applespider

May 12, 2004, 11:20 AM

Sure you'd continue having fun after reading them since they're pretty amusing... and might bring up even more differences.

I wonder if without the burst in technology in the past 100 years with cheap travel, cinema, TV and the internet, English might have continued to diverge so much that US and UK English would have been different language tho obviously related like the Italian/Spanish etc

glosterseagul

Nov 6, 2004, 04:13 AM

5300cs

Nov 6, 2004, 06:03 AM

glosterseagul

Jul 2, 2005, 02:53 AM

I teach English in Japan, and all the different versions of English all collide which can cause problems sometimes.

Does anyone know "I'm all set."? Is this a Boston thing only? The British & Australians don't seem to understand it.

I'm all set......and ready to go. ( Although i have heard it as I'm set)

What a great thread - Ive just read it again! :rolleyes:

What about i don't give a monkey's?

raggedjimmi

Jul 2, 2005, 04:57 AM

I like how the Americans pronounce cities in New England:

Nore-wich (US) = 'Norich' (UK)
Green-wich = 'Grennich' (UK)
How would you say Gloucesteshire in the US? :eek: :p :p

wait you think placenames get butchered outside the UK :eek:
theres wee village just over the hills called Greenaces, sounds ok so beautiful... but the locals call it 'Grin-nickers'

also! another wee village near Hadfield (aka, Royston Vasey ;)) has the lovely name Tintwhistle. now you think you'd pronounce that Tint-Whistle. but oooh nooo! awkward locals call it 'Twissle' for some reason. its beautiful though, has 7 consecutive reservoirs flowing down from the moors. if you ever fly to Manchester Airport you'll see them about 30 minutes before you land.

raggedjimmi

Jul 2, 2005, 05:05 AM

Not a lot to with Mac!

...but I did enjoy this thread. just re-read it!

Does the us have something simarlar cockney rhyming slang?

These words now have now become everyday usage in english.

eg Let me have a butchers. (Butchers HOOK - LOOK)

and "blowing a raspberry" (raspberry TART - FART)

" you burke!" ( berkley or Berkshire HUNT - *UNT) as in UK meaning for Fanny

Yes I know why?:rolleyes:

"Vive la diference!" - as they say in Watford!

:o

wow i say 'butchers', didnt know its origins!

as for words, try some oh-so common Oldham slang.

Kettle=Kekkle
Bottle=Bokkle
Ambulance= Th'ambulance
hospital=hospikal
hills=th'ills
tea=brew (but thats pretty common)
isn't it=innit (again, think thats global though)
bus='buzz'
stairs=sturs
claire=clur

interestingly, over in Huddersfield (just over the hills from here) they dont sell pies! not that i like them, but its only 20 miles away. those crazy Yorkshire folk :rolleyes:

BakedBeans

Jul 2, 2005, 05:42 AM

My favourites are spunk(y) and wanker which have different meanings this side of the pond.
I still remember the TV show Mork and Mindy being shown here (for those who don't remember, it was a primarily a childrens show) and two characters being introduced as Mr and Mrs Wanker. Ah the look of joy on my parents face as that went out on prime time childrens TV.

I like all the foreign versions of my language and obviously use them too. Sorry I had to be sarcastic, its an English thing.

so what does wanker mean in the states?

i would knock them "spark out" if they called me that ;)

5300cs

Jul 2, 2005, 06:43 AM

Where I'm from, "brew" means beer. As in "brewskie" (sp?)

I think "toss" is a funny word. It doesn't have the same meaning in the US as it does in OZ & NZ :D

jefhatfield

Jul 2, 2005, 08:13 AM

so what does wanker mean in the states?

i would knock them "spark out" if they called me that ;)

wanker is somebody who masturbates, but really it refers more to someone who doesn't do anything useful, like a slacker or lazy person and not referred to as someone very intelligent

but if your last name is wanker, then you are wanker no matter what unless you are a female wanker and you get married and change your last name ;)

BakedBeans

Jul 2, 2005, 10:25 AM

wanker is somebody who masturbates, but really it refers more to someone who doesn't do anything useful, like a slacker or lazy person and not referred to as someone very intelligent;)

in that case im one of the worlds best wankers!

mac-er

Jul 2, 2005, 04:08 PM

Wikipedia to the rescue!

Differences between American and British English (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences)

Counterfit

Jul 2, 2005, 08:53 PM

in that case im one of the worlds best wankers!
I'm #2 :p

And for an absolutely HORRIBLE example of a Boston/Massachussetts accent (there is no real New England accent, because RI is a mix of NYC and Boston, then there's Maine :eek: ), watch 13 Days, and listen to whoever plays Robert McNamara (Kevin Costner?). WAAAYYY over the top. He just tried too hard :rolleyes:

5300cs

Jul 4, 2005, 06:39 AM

Agreed; his preformance was pretty bad. When I heard him trying to fake a Boston accent :rolleyes: ... I mean, I don't have one myself, but he was trying way too hard.

andiwm2003

Jul 4, 2005, 07:14 AM

english: nuclear
american: nucular

Counterfit

Jul 4, 2005, 07:27 AM

english: nuclear
american: nucular
Er, no.
Correct: nuclear
stupid people (incl. dubya): nucular

Chundles

Jul 4, 2005, 08:11 AM

skubish

Jul 4, 2005, 08:25 AM

OK, this one has bugged me for ages.

American - "I could care less about that"

English - "I couldn't care less about that"

Because if you use couldn't you are already at the rock bottom. I you use could care less, you are working your way down. :)

Surely, if you could care less than it means you do care and therefore "couldn't care less" would be the right thing to say?

Oh, that and leaving out things like "and" and "to" as in "I'll write (to) you" and "One hundred (and) sixty five"
People you don't use (to) in that manner are not following correct American English just lazy. The (and) discussion is proper. We only use and in numbers for money and fractions:

one hundred sixty-five and fifty-five hundreths dollars

or five and three quarters inches

xsedrinam

Jul 4, 2005, 08:37 AM

OK, this one has bugged me for ages.

American - "I could care less about that"

English - "I couldn't care less about that"

Surely, if you could care less than it means you do care and therefore "couldn't care less" would be the right thing to say?

Oh, that and leaving out things like "and" and "to" as in "I'll write (to) you" and "One hundred (and) sixty five"

Actually, both English and American properly say, "I couldn't care less about this/that." "I could care less about"....is just idiomatically incorrect. ;)
X

glosterseagul

Nov 26, 2005, 01:43 AM

These always grate when i listen to my American colleagues:

Saying gotten instead of got
A: It has gotten much better
B: It has got much better

I keep restarting this thread I love it....I missed this one tho.

My grandmother, (Nan actually) did not allow me to use the word GOT.

It is superflous she used to say. just remove the word Got

I have got to go - I have to go. or I have got one becomes I have one. although the example above wouldn't work; "It has got much better"

maybe "it is much better" or it has become much better"

although that is a smidge off subject - not English; but the two (or more) englishes....hmmm what is the plural of English?

:confused:

ok, what jokes don't translate?

Two cow's in a field: 1st Cow "I am a bit worried about this mad cow disease!"

2nd cow "thankfully,it doesn't affect us because we are frogs!"